August 09, 2016

300 food security cards seized, 12 fair price shop agents suspended

Silchar, Aug 8: 300 food security cards have been seized from government employees and pensioners who did not hand over their ‘priority household cards’ even after the government issued directives to do so. The cards have been seized from the government employees and pensioners residing across 7 cooperatives under Lakhipur sub-division, Barakpar Sonapur, Lakhipur, Binnakandie, Jirighat, Banskandie, Harinagar, Joypur and Badrichandrapur. In addition, 12 agents of fair price shop have been suspended for showing negligence while distributing rice at the rate of Rs. 3 a kg.The suspension order of the 12 agents was issued by T T D Daolagupu, SDO, Food and Civil Supply, after being informed by Dilip Kumar Roy, in-charge, Food and Civil Supply of Lakhipur. Moreover, 15 other agents have been asked to submit a written explanation stating the reasons for neglecting their duty to distribute rice. Investigations and surveys are going on to recover more cards.S Viswanathan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, has been informed about the malpractice in the distribution of rice under Food Security Bill, in a recently held review meeting at Circle Office, Lakhipur. The review meeting of the Deputy Commissioner with the heads of different state government offices, Fishery, Education, PHE (Water Supply), Health, Public Works Department, Water Resources Department, was organized by SDO Civil, Lakhipur. In the meeting, the DC and PWD minister Parimal Shuklabaidya, enquired about cards being seized from government employees and pensioners. T T D Daolagupu and Dilip Kumar Roy briefed them about the seizure of 300 cards, and added to say that separate cases against 8 servicemen have been registered at Lakhipur police station. They also informed that the dealers of fair price shops have been asked to collect rice regularly from the cooperative society stores, failing which, they will be dealt with harshly.The review meeting was attended by block development officers of 4 blocks, Binnakandie, Joypur-Rajabazar, Banskandie and Lakhipur. Among others present in the meeting included, Pradip Kumar Gupta, circle officer, Lakhipur, Rajdeep Goala, MLA, Rimi Paul, chairperson, local municipal board, Mihir Kanti Shome, MLA, Udharbond, Kishore Nath, MLA Katigorah and Yaudul Islam, ACS, magistrate. (Source:SentinelAssam)